Young children don't seem to have a problem looking at you straight in the eye, they make no excuse for it either. Intimacy is something that - buried under years of experience, layers of protection, acts, identities, self-imposed constraints - one has to unearth. For some of us, it may be a project worthy of archeological digs.
Today, I am giving you 3 exercises to do and I ask that you seriously do them. Practice them once, practice them twice, practice them every day, in every moment, and forever going forward. Intimacy is the door to connection and peace. It is the most basic right that we, as humans, can pretend to and should seek relentlessly. I will push it even further, intimacy is a responsibility to ourselves and to all around us.
For this exercise, you are going to look at yourself in the mirror for no less than 20 minutes.
Notice what comes up for you. At first, many critical thoughts may rush in: "I hate my nose", "where did that pimple come from?", "I need to wash my hair tomorrow". Let these come to you, then release them into the wild. Do this exercise from a no judgment zone: do not judge what you see, do not judge yourself for judging what you see.
Let love roll in. You are yours, embrace yourself.
You can do this exercise with your significant other or with a friend, no matter. The point is that you experience the birth of your love and intimacy for the other person.
Stand toe to toe and look at each other for 10 minutes. No word shall be exchanged.
Notice what comes up for you. Again, do this exercise from a no judgment zone. Welcome your love for this person and let it rise within.
When you are in conversation, be there with the person. Put your phone away, turn it off even. Listen to every word they say, summarize the points they make, show that you are actively engaged, all while looking at them straight in the eyes.
